NEW

Vets Film Strips - Just Click the Image above
to see John Goodwin score

Players of the Week
2009
Click the Name
for a picture

12th April
Richard Evans
5th April
Chris
29th March
Richard Evans
22nd March
Karl English
8th March
Paul Garner
22nd February
Rob Westwood
15th February
Dan Bolton
8th February
The Benches
29th January
Graham Mason
18th January
John Goodwin
11th January
Matt Pink

Players of the Week
2008
Click the Name
for a picture

21st December
Keith Proudfoot
14th December
Dan Bolton

16th November
Rob Westwood
2nd November
Richard Evans
26th October
Keith Proudfoot
5th October
Neil McClelland
21st September
Steve Gerrard

14th September
Chris Todd
7th September
Youth Team
24th August
Ron Buttery
17th August
Martin Wilde
10th August
Keith Proudfoot
3rd August
John Goodwin
20th July
Nigel Caldwell

13th July
Chris Todd

6th July
Malc, Keith, John
29th June
Keith Mastin
15th June
Matt Pink
8th June
Steve Gerrard
1st June
Malcolm Stubbs
25th May
Martin Wilde

18th May
Nigel Caldwell
4th May
Chris Anthony
27th April
Martin Wilde
13th April
Bryn Meredith
6th April
Steve Gerrard
23rd March
Chris Anthony
16th March
Bryn Meredith
9th March
Chris Todd
24th February
Rick Westwood
17th February
John Goodwin
3rd February
Rob Westwood
27th January
Steve Gerrard
20th January
No winner
13th January
Bryn Meredith
6th January
Keith Proudfoot
 

New Mills Vets
 5 a side
football at the
Leisure Centre
New Mills
High Peak
17:30 - 19:00
every Sunday
evening.
Come and join us,
all you need is a
pair of trainers and
a dodgy kit and you're
up and gasping.



Penalty or What?
Bryn Misses a Sitter
Only One Winner Here
 

The vets games can get quite competitive

Just in case you are the slightest bit interested, I have archived the previous Vets News Pages from January 2001. It's quite interesting to look back on a few of the events that have occurred during our past games, some of them amusing and some of them downright sad. Click the button at the top.

 

Check out these boys to see how easy it is to control a ball.  He can Kick it So Can this guy Best 5 a side goal ever

Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Paul Garner
Neil McClelland

Matt Pink
Rick Evans
Rick Pott
Robbie Westwood

Malc Hough
Nigel Caldwell
Chris Anthony
Steve Gerrard

Sunday 30th November 2008 : For a City fan this was about as bad as day as you can get losing to the rags on our own ground. Not at the races was putting it mildly especially in the first half. Watching Ladyboy Ronaldo get his marching orders was just the scraps off the table although his bleating excuse “I though I heard a beep” was summed up by a wag who retorted, “Yeah, it was your taxi mate!”
Still there was always the 5 a side at the Leisure Centre to rush home for. Three teams of four tonight with borrowed keepers. Zsu Zsu and John joined forces with Paulo Garner and Neil McClelland to make a quite formidable team with Neil having a fine night scoring a couple of very neat solo goals but was outshone by the old hippie, Zsu Zsu Mastin, who helped himself to a hat trick in one game. That may sound pretty unexciting but when you are over 60 it takes some doing, believe me! Matt Pink as he always does terrorised the keepers with some fair old pile drivers and with Robbie, and the two Ricks his team were looking to cause havoc until Zsu Zsu’s team stopped them in their tracks with back to back wins. My own squad suffered from the deep depression that comes from losing to our neighbours from Stretford. Steve was busy and Chris was on the mark for us but as much as Nigel scurried round we were unable to notch a win.
So it was back home after a depressing afternoon for me only to find the area in darkness and in the throws of a power cut…. roll on next week!!
Congratulations to John Goodwin on becoming a grandad this week with the arrival of his first Grandaughter and Grandson, yes it's twins for the assassin. So with myself and Nigel we now have 3 grandad's in our fold and a total of 11½ grandchildren between us.
.

Young Vet? Maybe in 25 Years

John Goodwin
Keith Mastin
Matt Pink
Paul Garner
Ron Buttery

Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Richard Evans
Nigel Caldwell
Malc Hough

Sunday 7th December 2008 : After a bitterly cold week it was a little disappointing to see only ten vets at the Leisure Centre tonight. However with two evenly balanced sides having a good old set to, we all had a chance to do battle for ninety minutes in three first to ten games. John Goodwin's team took the first after taking advantage of Proudy's teams lethargic start. This soon changed though and a 10-8 score was just about right. In the second game Matt's goal scoring and strong running proved to be the difference in the two teams although again the 10-8 score was a fair reflection on the outcome. Proudy's side finally got into the groove to win the third encounter in which all of us got on the mark to win 10-3. To me goals are what the game is all about and if you take an aggregate score I think Proudy's team were the victors overall with a score line of 26 against 23 - QED   The only black spot on an otherwise excellent night's football was Ron Buttery's implausible habit of lowering the tone of the evening by his constant ranting and foul and often violent play but, I've wasted too many column inches on this site over the years highlighting Ron's bad behaviour so hopefully his retirement is on the horizon - we're all fed up with him including his own team mates.

John Goodwin
Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough
Paul Garner

Keith Mastin
Dan Bolton
Richard Evans
Robbie Westwood
 

Sunday 14th December 2008 : Normal service was resumed this week as the Leisure Centre became a Buttery free zone. Consequently the nights football passed off without any untoward behaviour and was enjoyed by all who bothered to turn up. Just as a matter of interest, next week see's the last session before Christmas and indeed the last this year as they close early on the 28th. So a vital week for the player of the year which at the moment could go to any one of eight players - how close is that?  I've removed the list until after next week so if you think you may be in with a shout you need to be there next week. As for tonight it was down to 4 a side and an extremely close fought three games they turned out to be. Zsu Zsu Mastin led his squad like the old master playmaker he is taking full advantage of including the youngest vet, Richard Evans in his side. Probably Richard was the difference between the two teams as his side took all three games by the odd goal. Robbie had one of his best games for many a moon but it was the return of Dan Bolton that took everyone by surprise. Dan has not played since March 2007 but, he was soon on the score sheet. Having put on more than a pound or three the lad got better as the night went on and all I can say is, he'll know about that in the morning. As for my team we were all suffering from an inability to hit the back of the net. There was plenty to admire about our build up play but faced with that old onion bag we went to pieces.
So it's on to our final game of the year next Sunday so let's finish off our 25th year with a decent turn out and maybe a group pic, it's overdue.

John Goodwin
Keith Proudfoot
Keith Mastin
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony
Paul Garner
Dan Bolton
Richard Evans
Robbie Westwood
 

Sunday 14th December 2008 :  Well another year ends for the vets and we can look back on many memorable weeks of action packed sessions. I've often mentioned on these pages that each week is a bonus for me, in fact I've been saying that to myself since Mooro & me completed our fortieth year still playing football and set our eyes on 50 then 60. Well we made it that far but, I've lost count of the players who had to call it a day during that time for one reason or another and though it will come to all of us one day, I've set my sights on waving my pension book as I hit that next target I've set myself.
And so to this weeks thrash at the Leisure Centre - surprisingly only eight bodies were available to start although Robbie boyed by his teams success over my not so glorious City, encouraged him to break the land speed record in order to gloat. You just couldn't wipe the smile off the little fella's mush although John attempted it a couple of times in his own inimitable style. Overall a very good workout just before Christmas with Zsu Zsu Mastin awarding Proudy the player of the week award which meant a three way tie for the player of the year. Proudy, Steve Gerrard and John Goodwin each notched up 4 awards so well done chaps. Martin Wild, Bryn Meredith, Chris Todd, Matt Pink and Zsu Zsu Mastin were all in with a shout with three awards each before tonight only one award each behind. Hopefully next year we'll have a different format and a bit of silver at the end of it all for the winner.
I will be flying out to Tunisia in a couple of days in order to avoid the farce which has replaced Christmas. We'll be staying in the hotel pictured above from where I plan to visit the Sahara and a little know Roman site in Sbeitla to the West of the country near to the Algerian border. Beats the Great Escape and Eastbenders but I expect Janice to give the SkyPlus some hammering.
So it just leaves me to wish you all everything you wish your Christmas to be and more importantly a healthy and contented New Year.                           See you all on the 4th January 2009

John Goodwin
Keith Mastin
Paul Garner
Dan Bolton
Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Keith Mastin
Nigel Caldwell
Chris Todd

Sunday 11th January 2009 : Back to the action after my Winter training camp in North Africa and much to my relief found the going was not too tough. Mary's Moaner's now down to three regular members drafted in Matt Pink from the Youth Squad and deservedly took the honours in a pulsating ninety minutes of action. It was over the hour before Proudy's team managed to halt their winning streak that had looked likely to threaten the impossible, winning every game - an achievement that has never been realised. It took a sterling effort with Nigel given the unenviable assignment of man marking Matt. Nigel held Matt to just one goal and with the backing of his  team  mates conjured  up  a
2-2 draw, much to our relief. Proudy and Chris together notched most of their teams goals whereas the Moaners were successful throughout the team. Ron returned and put in an excellent show with some well taken strikes of his own. The youth team never managed to quite hit the heights, probably not unsurprising since losing the influential Matt Pink is a blow to any squad. Rick Evans has just about shrugged off his flu plus Paulo is due for surgery to look forward to on Thursday. The two Westwood's beavered away and Rick was full of energy but it just wasn't their night. A few missing bodies this year, Neil McCleeland (another flu victim), Steve Gerrard, Bud Jackson, Malc Stubbs, Martin Wilde and not forgetting Bryn Meredith have yet to make their 2009 bow. I think we may also have to look at defining the squads to make sure that teams aren't weakened to bolster other teams who are short of players. If we can establish three squads of equal strength this would be of benefit to regular players looking to gain a better team understanding. That is not a reflection on tonight's selection which as usual Keith got spot on and credit where it is due, Mary's Moaner's performance tonight will probably one of the best all year - we shall see.

Sunday 18th January 2009 : I've decided not to mention Kaka this week because I feel he is the first step leading to me losing interest in what was "my" team. I just hope that for once this player decides to say I get enough money where I am and my heart is in the club which gave me fame and fortune so thanks but no thanks. It would be just the same for me if Mary's Moaners tried to lure me with their Roman wealth - I wear my white tabard with pride and would never swap it for a red one.
A short report tonight as Janice and myself are headed for the Bombay Café, that excellent little Indian eatery in Chinley.
So it was eleven vets again tonight  to contest many closely fought games using the rotation system that has served us so well over the years. Bud Jackson and Steve Gerrard both returned for their first appearances this year and they both acquitted themselves very well. Bud worked tirelessly, getting well stuck in. Stevie was soon hitting the target with almost every shot as if he had never been away however, with a niggling tendon injury he will need a week or two to regain full fitness. Hopefully on the fitness issue Paulo's op went well and he too will soon be back to full chat. Lots of good stuff tonight including John's continued good form and Ron also looking like his old self.
Keith and myself had to sign a constitution form this evening to allow us to carry on as a bonafide club. This allows us to carry on our booking without being levied with VAT. I think Keith the old cockney hippie  deserves a pat on the back for all his good work in keeping the vets ticking over with his behind the scenes contributions, good on you Zsu Zsu, we couldn't keep going without you.
In the next couple of days I'll post a copy of our constitution which Keith prepared. I am suffering hard drive problems at the moment so it may be Tuesday'ish before it appears. One last thought, I think we need to arrange our Christmas get together soon as it never seems the same on a barmy summers evening.
 

Sunday 25th January 2009 : Only nine vets this evening with the rotation system again saving the night. The only problem with four a side and a referee is that for the older players it is a fact that there is nowhere to hide, When it comes to getting from box to box it becomes a ball ache. With six of us over 50 there was bound to be many occasions when what now passes for lungs would fail to respond as they worked overtime to cope. At times we were left hopelessly exposed as the younger players took full advantage of our failings. This is not to say the senior vets were without their own input because we all had our moments. At the end of the day (or night) we all battled away as much as our aging bodies would allow and lets be fair, we were there and giving it some. The two Rick's and Proudy were the pick of the goal getters and as expected provided much of the running. As for the oldies Ron and Zsu Zsu Mastin the old Mary's Moaners duo plodded their way through 90 lung busting minutes with much to be admired. This all goes to prove that three teams make for the optimum performance levels as at least you get time to draw breath. So you lazy arses who chose to waste your Sunday evening at home get your lardie bodies down next week and make it a bit easier for the rest of us.....
 

Tonight's Players

Keith Mastin
Chris
Rick Evans
Steve Gerrard
Paul Garner
Mike Jackson
Malc Hough

Sunday 8th February 2009 : Sorry about the lack of a match report last week due to a combination of failed equipment and a bout of man flu. The great turnout last week was somewhat spoilt by the lack of players tonight which was a little surprising as it followed one of the best sessions this year. Graham Mason's return bolstered Proudy's team to such an extent that with only one defeat left them top of the pile.
So it was back to three a side tonight with a ref and the benches returning along with Paulo Garner who proudly showed off his scars following surgery to improve his all round game. The surgery alas had no real affect on the Stockport boy other than some impressive holes on his torso. On the injury front I hear Chris Todd is crocked and a long lay off looks on the cards. Hopefully Chris will soon be back to full fitness and back on the floor of dreams at the Leisure Centre sooner rather than later.
Back to tonight the action was a mixture of youthful zest, middle aged anguish and senior zimmerism. I don't know how Zsu Zsu felt but at times my brain and my body were in total conflict with each other. Expecting two over sixties and two over fifties to cope with ninety minutes of three a side puts the Robinho's and Santa Cruz's to shame - neither managed that yesterday!!
 

Tonight's Teams

Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Paul Garner
Rick Evans
Dan Bolton


Steve Gerrard
Bud Jackson
Rick Pott
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony

Sunday 15th February 2009 : Bad news last week when we heard that Ron's wife Bev had had a nasty accident when she went over on her ankle and broke her leg quite badly. She is due to have surgery  on it tomorrow so we all wish her well.
Only ten vets tonight and unusually not the best of sessions as things got just a touch tetchy at times. Nothing too bad but enough to cause a raised eyebrow or three. Zsu Zsu's team reigned supreme as they steam rolled my squad with a powerful mix of speed and deadly striking. Paulo, Rick Evans and Dan were buzzing so John and Zsu Zsu had the luxury of younger legs doing their spade work. No such joy for Stevie Gerrard as Rick Potts our only serious runner is handicapped by a strict diet regime that seems to have taken the edge off his pace. Bud, Chris and myself would be hard pressed to raise anything above a gentle jog so lack of pace became our downfall. Playing without a ref seems to cause more problems than it's worth and in those circumstances we should all err on the side of common sense and lean towards the benefit of doubt. 'Nuff said!!
Anyway please make the effort next week as funds are down and besides, no players - no Sunday nights, it's as simple as that.... if you want it, come on down!!

Tonight's Teams

 John Goodwin
Bud Jackson
Rick Evans
Neil Myers
Nigel Caldwell

Paul Garner
Matt Pink
Dan Bolton
Rob Westwood

Keith Proudfoot
Graham Mason
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony

Sunday 22nd February 2009 : Every so often we have one of those evenings down at the Leisure Centre when we get things just right. This happened to be just the case as three teams matched almost perfectly locked horns for a close encounter of the best kind. With our leader, Zsu Zsu Mastin slumming it in Ireland, we were able to up the pace somewhat and enjoy a festival of keenly contested games. You know it's going to be a hard night when Robbie slaps one in your net in the very first game, not only a goal but a winning goal. Robbie looked the part tonight under the wing of Matt Pink who knows just how to get the best out of the "Baggies" man. Three officers of the law graced the sports hall tonight and each had their moments non more than Neil "silver fox" Myers making a rare appearance with the vets. I would think Proudy's squad just nicked the team of the night with a late burst but overall there was nowt init as they say. Next week will see a few of tonight's players missing so all those stay aways and injured souls need to get themselves down and bolster the numbers, your teams need you. I've not heard from Chris Todd or Neil McClelland but hopefully they will soon be back with us, they've both been badly missed. Bev, Ron Buttery's wife had her operation last Monday and I believe all went well, here's wishing her a speedy recovery.

Tonight's Players

Chris Anthony
Steve Gerrard
Rick Pott
Chris Todd
John Goodwin
Rick Evans
Paul Garner
Matt Pink
Dan Bolton
Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough





 

Sunday 1st March 2009 : City kicked off at 12:30 today to avoid missing the Man U v Spurs LC Final which thankfully 11 of our vets also chose to do. City picked this fixture to have their traditional away day off so, the 'appy 'ammers pinched it 1-0, as for the LC Final, who cares - I don't. Blackburn Rovers also had a mid day kick off but Proudy managed to get back in time to turn out for the vets and make the numbers up to eleven, great commitment by the big fella and the rest. Zsu Zsu Mastin continues to relax (if that's at all possible) in the dark and damp peat bogs that pass for the country known as the Republic of Ireland - get a life Keith, the hot spots of the Med await you and your long suffering family. The pace without Zsu Zsu tonight was fast and furious which made for some tightly contested confrontations. I have to say each and every player contributed to what was a terrific night's 5 a side footy. Chris Todd made a very welcome comeback after injury and coped well after his long lay off. Rick Pott was on scoring form with some impressive finishes. Pass of the night came from the gifted right foot (does he actually possess a left one?) of Chris who baffled us all when he feigned to shoot but threaded a superb pass through a crowded penalty area to find Steve Gerrard who drilled it home with some aplomb. Ron Buttery's rotation system sometimes has it's hiccups when teams get unbalanced but tonight it worked to perfection but just as John said afterwards, there's nothing like a regular team to add that all important edge. The ongoing demise of Mary's Moaners means this doesn't happen as often as we would like but, I am reliably informed they are on the look out for a couple of moaners with leanings towards Rome to reignite their passion and lead the oldest surviving vets team back to the giddy heights they once enjoyed. So if you have a talent for abusing referee's, hacking your opponents down and have at least gone past St Mary's RC church once in your lifetime, get in touch with Zsu Zsu Mastin at your earliest inconvenience......

Tonight's Teams

John Goodwin
Bud Jackson
Ron Buttery
Keith Mastin
Neil McClelland

Neil Myers
Keith Proudfoot
Graham Mason
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony

Paul Garner
Rob Westwood
Rick Pott
Rick Evans
Nigel Caldwell
Paul Garner

Sunday 8th March 2009 : A Bonanza turnout tonight saw 16 vets thrash it out over the ninety minutes in a scintillating contest of non stop action. Sadly the extra player meant that one team had six players in the squad and that meant one player missing out each time they played, not ideal but considering that this is the first time that has happened for well over a year not the end of the world. I had the luxury of playing in the strongest squad tonight for a change with 60% of our team drawn from the Derbyshire Constabulary. Chris and I took full advantage of playing in the flying squad and it looked like an unbeaten evening was on the cards until a late goal from the foot of Chris Todd pulled us up in our tracks. John Goodwin added to the crack in our armour in the next game when he hit a stunning drive to register our second reverse on the trot.  A good nights football though from Proudy's team who were without the inspirational Steve Gerrard and, but for those two late defeats looked more than little useful. Mary's Moaners were bolstered by the return of Neil McClelland who tried hard to rally the troops but he is a pure novice when it comes to moaning, something that will come with time if he sticks with this squad, good to see the lad back though and a decent ninety minutes to boot. Ron Buttery was back in the fray and thanked the lads for signing Bev's card, seems she's doing fine under the circumstances. The squad of six were perhaps handicapped by the lack of continuity brought on by the continual rotation of players, like I said not ideal but next time a different squad will have to accept the extra player. Paulo Garner still managed to give us all a phenomenal exhibition of striking from distance with three memorable strikes that "Thunderboots" Charlton would have been proud of. Chris Todd completed another full session and looks to be well on the road to recovery.
It was really encouraging to see the turnout tonight, brought back memories of when we first started nearly 21 years ago - we used to have four regular teams each week then!!
 

Tonight's Teams

Chris Todd
John Goodwin
Keith Mastin
Rick Pott

Matt Pink
Nigel Caldwell
Paul Garner
Bud Jackson

Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony
Karl English

Sunday 15th March 2009 : After last weeks glut of players it was inevitable that this week we would be back to the average and so it turned out. That was of course until the welcome reappearance of Karl English who last appeared for a full session in July 2007. Looking back maybe Neil Mac hasn't recovered from last weeks attempt at lifting the Moaners from the depths of obscurity and is no doubt nursing some very sore leg muscles similar to Karl no doubt after tonight's game. Karl in fairness had a pretty decent return and the old left foot was soon finding the net. Not much to choose between the teams although Proudy's squad were unbeaten but overall a really good ninety minutes. Very surprised not to see Rick Evans tonight as his Liverpool team gave Man U a bloody good gubbing at Gold Trafford on Saturday, I can only think that he hadn't recovered from celebrating at the Hare and Hounds with all the New Mills Reds...... Lets hope the Stretford bubble has at last burst!!

Tonight's Players

Chris Anthony
Keith Mastin
Chris Todd
John Goodwin
Rick Evans
Paul Garner
Bud Jackson
Nigel Caldwell
Karl English
Kevin English
Malc Hough
 

Sunday 22nd March 2009 : Another memorable weekend as United lose for the second week running and Scholes and Rooney add to the national joy by stupidly getting themselves red carded. With City stuttering to a 1-0 win at home to 10 men Sunderland things are certainly looking on the up. At the Leisure Centre we were treated to as good a session as we have enjoyed all year in a fine contest of 5 a side games utilising the now well worn Ron Buttery Rotation system. This system now runs like clockwork and if Ron does nothing else in his life we can honestly say he will always be remembered for this innovation. Rotating the players may just take the competitive edge away from the contest but it gives all the players the chance to blend with different team mates. My only grouch about tonight was not being able to join fellow playmaker Zsu Zsu Mastin in what could have been the ultimate mid field combination of pass masters (that's pass masters not past masters).
Tonight we had the re appearance of the English brothers playing together with Kevin joining Karl for his first appearance for a year, nearly to the day. Not only were the English boys back but, both played exceptionally well with Karl bagging a hat full of goals including, some rare strikes with his right foot. An injury though looks to have put the brakes on Karl's comeback but hopefully it's only a blip and he will become a regular again. Nigel also took a few bangs which wasn't surprising with all the tackling he gets through in the ninety minutes. An all round good thrash by all as usual with some classic goals as well as some slick moves that were a credit to all the lads tonight.

Tonight's Teams

Chris Todd
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony
Rick Pott

John Goodwin
Neil McClelland
Keith Mastin
Kevin English
 
Rick Evans
Paul Garner
Bud Jackson
Dan Bolton

 

Sunday 29th March 2009 : A beautiful Spring afternoon, my wife's birthday and a visit by my youngest daughter and her family were the alternatives to my Sunday evening bash with the lads at the Leisure Centre - no contest.... and another memorable 90 minutes it turned out to be. The youth team bolstered by the inclusion of half centurion Bud Jackson set off in great style. Playing a blend of swift passing and a shoot on sight policy was proving a bit too much to handle for the other two teams. Were we going to see that elusive 100% winning record go at last. The mission was to halt them in their tracks and it took almost half the night before the breakthrough arrived via the well worn boot of John Goodwin. Two goals from the assassin were enough to knock the heart out of what previously looked an awesome combination. My own squad added to their misery as we forced a well earned draw which we repeated in our next two encounters with them. In fact the youth team became quite disjointed after these set backs and the session took on a much more even look. Perhaps the highlights though were  Bud Jacksons fine defensive showing and Super strikes from Rick Evans, Paul Garner and a lightening bolt from Chris from midway inside his own half, you don't often see that!
Had an email from John Brookes this week, he'll be in touch again very soon with all his news. Wednesday see's England in World Cup qualifying action as group leaders and Scotland will also try to raise the ante and do the nay impossible - qualify!!

Tonight's Teams

Chris Todd
Malc Hough
Chris Anthony
Keith Proudfoot
Paul Dennis

John Goodwin
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin
Kevin English
Karl English
 
Rick Evans
Malc Stubbins
Bud Jackson
Matt Pink
Rick Pott
 

Sunday 5th April 2009 : Short report tonight as I'm off to see my youngest Daughter Katie who is about to produce my 7th grandchild over in the Blackpool Maternity Hospital. Really entertaining matches this weekend and another great turnout by the lads. It astonishes me how we manage to keep the numbers up even when a fair few of regulars are missing. The first game this evening left us all gobsmacked as the youth team banged in seven goals, that's one every 42 seconds...  Four of the quickest players on the youngest legs were anchored by Bud Jackson and to be honest they looked a formidable team. This however is a vets night and it wasn't long before the old brigade brought them down to size. Proudy's team were the first to stop their gallop with a hard fought 1-1 with Paul Dennis keeping Matt Pink in his pocket it set the trend for the rest of the night. Zsu Zsu Mastin's team followed this with another draw which seemed to knock the stuffing out of their younger opponents. Chris hit the goal trail with a vengeance this evening and his scoring feats just about earned his team top placing although Zsu Zsu's squad ran them close. Just goes to show the value of old heads...
The night's only down was hearing that Man U had beaten Villa with a goal in the ninety fourth minute to go back to the top of the Premier, yawn, yawn....   I think it's time for a new Page

 Special release on YouTube   Only One Winner Here  Starring John Goodwin
 

Tonight's Players

Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Rick Evans
Chris ?

Malc Stubbs
Chris Anthony
Chris Todd
Malc Hough

Sunday 12th April 2009 : What a miserable day - Easter Sunday and City yet again sink to the depths, what the bloody hell do the Arabs see in this club?  3-1 at home to Fulham was no so much a surprise but the way they performed here was an insult to all who were daft enough to shell out a fair of wedge of their hard earned income. Entrance, transport, a programme, a pint and a pie would leave you light of fifty quid odd and for what I ask? After 90 minutes of 5 a side at the Leisure Centre tonight we shelled out a fiver each for what can only be described as a good work out by a bunch of enthusiastic guys who just play for the love of the game. When I got home from the 5 a side my wife and I  joined my brother and sister in law at the Café Bombay in nearby Chinley for an excellent three course meal with a couple of bottles of wine for less than you would have paid to watch City today, and that was for all four of us.  Add to that the fact that the experience was enjoyable and that in a nutshell is what is wrong with the professional game today. Having ranted on about that I will be at the COMSTAD on Thursday when my not so glorious Blues attempt to repair the damage they did in Hamburg last week, Yes the football at the Leisure Centre tonight was pretty good and now I've calmed down I have to say Zsu Zsu's team won the day with four games to one. John Goodwin sported a new pair of trainers which allowed him to spend a little more time on his feet allowing him to perform well with Rick Evans and Zsu Zsu's prospective son in law Chris. Rick was the difference between the two squads with that extra bit of speed and an eye for goal. Chris Todd was prominent in the other squad but a lack of finishing let down some good moves involving the rest of the team.
Next week hopefully will see a better turnout with three squads a must. As for City, myself and my fellow sufferers deserve better or do we?

Tonight's Teams

Younguns & John
Rick Pott
John Goodwin
Rick Evans

The old Boys
Malc Hough
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin

Sunday 19th April 2009 : How disappointing it was tonight to rush home from a weekend at my daughters to find only six of us had bothered to make the effort to play our 5 a side at the Leisure Centre. Yes United were playing Everton at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi Final and we had lads who support both teams missing, that was to be expected. City were playing West Brom at home but I don't think many Blues would miss our session to suffer any more this season.  Having said that, when the teams met earlier in the season, Baggies fan Robbie broke all land speed records to get back to New Mills and gloat because they had beaten the glorious Blues. I quite understand the lads going awol because of a special game but we must all remember - it's the lads who keep it going week in week out that allows the casual players who come when they can be bothered to actually have a session to play in. It costs nearly £60 a week to run these games so come on boys support us or lose it!  Last week Chris Todd did just that in spite of appearing in his group at the Hare and Hounds less than an hour after we finished. That's what we want.... On a happier note Tony Moore became a pensioner last week when he hit 65. Tony was one of the original vets and only stopped playing recently but don't count out one last appearance, the old boy may look ready for the rest home but I know he can still cut it. As for tonight in spite of our low numbers we managed a great ninety minutes with John Goodwin managing to team up with the two youngest players to face Paulo who sadly for him teamed up with the two oldest players. The Youngsters had much the better of the results losing only the last game but overall we all made a hell of a good fist of it and at the end of the day you've got to be in it to win it and I feel we won it tonight and who gives a toss about the FA Cup Final anyway?

Tonight's Teams

Bud Jackson
Chris Todd
Neil McClelland
Matt Pink

Rick Evans
Kevin English
Paul Garner
Malc Hough